Mutant Monday

More Fearsome Critter and Cryptid goodness (or is that badness?).


Snallygaster


No. Enc.: 1 (1)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement (Flying): 360' (120')
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 7
Attacks: 3+ (2 claws, 1 bite, 1d8 tentacles (roll for how many tentacles used))
Damage: 1d8/1d8/2d10/1d3 per tentacle
Save: L3
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: XIV
XP: 1490

The Snallygaster is a half-reptilian, half-avian, dragon-like aerial predator. Their bodies consist of a long, pointed metallic beak lined with razor-sharp teeth, aa single blazing eye in the middle of their horned head, sharp taloned claws of hot glowing metal, two huge wings with a 25-foot wingspan, octopus-like tentacles, and a 20-foot long, reptilian tail.

These blood-drinking creatures will typically attack large animals, up to the size of human. They attack, initially, with a swoop that inflicts double damage if the opponent is surprised. They may pick up smaller than man-sized creatures and carry them off, piercing the victim's body with their beaks in order to drain them of blood. They also constantly exude a noxious, sulfuric-smelling poison gas over a 30' radius that is a Class 11 Poison. They may also attack with their Shriek attack, which listeners describe as "loud as a locomotive whistle."

Snallygasters are very territorial, holding large regions of forested mountains as their domains. They are also fairly intelligent, though they can be tricked or bribed (especially if presented with large quantities of strong alcohol). Surprisingly, they also have natural enemies, the Dwayyo (q.v.) who seek out their aeries among low-lying mountain peaks.

Mutations: Gigantism, Toxic Weapon, Shriek


Dwayyo


No. Enc.: 1 (1)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 120' (40')
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 5
Attacks: 3 (2 claws, 1 bite)
Damage: 1d8/1d8/2d4
Save: L3
Morale: 9
Hoard Class: XX
XP: 200

Dwayyo or Dewayo are bipedal, canid-like creatures often misidentified as werewolves or sasquatches. They appear as hairy bipeds with tails, wolf-like heads whose eyes are entirely black, with slim humanoid arms and powerful digitigrade legs. Their coats consist of a brown and black striped pattern which allows them to blend into the woods. They typically stand six to nine feet tall.

They typically attack with claws or a powerful, fanged bite. Generally they prey on small and large animals, but have been known to attack humanoids. In addition, they are deadly rivals to the dreaded Snallygaster.

Dwayyo are known to live in wooded areas, and are equally likely to make their dens in caves or ruins.

Mutations: None


Snoligoster


No. Enc.: 0 (1)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement (Swim only): 90' (30')
Armor Class: 3
Hit Dice: 6
Attacks: 2 (tail, impaling spike)
Damage: 1d8/3d6
Save: L3
Morale: 7
Hoard Class: VII
XP: 320

An 18' long, reptilian creature resembling a crocodile without legs or fins, but possessing long, glossy fur. The only appendages that Snoligosters posses are a large, impaling spike in place of a dorsal fin, and a long tail ending in three bony plates resembling a propeller. By wiggling its tail to and fro, it causes the plates to spin like a propeller, which generates its movement through mud or water. While waiting for prey it is often mistaken for a fallen tree stump, encrusted with vines or ivy, making it difficult to spot. For this reason, at a distance of more than 30 yards, a motionless Snoligoster is difficult to distinguish from a normal fallen tree, surprising beings on a surprise check roll of 1-3 on 1d6.

These vicious carnivores will hunt any mammal, but have a preference for humanoids to sate their voracious appetite. A Snoligoster attacks by swimming up to unwary victims and using their propeller tail to toss the unfortunate victim on the impaling spike on their back. If their attack roll is equal to or greater than 18, the victim must make a save vs stun attacks or be impaled on the spike. A victim so impaled will take an additional 1d6 damage per round and will require 2D4 rounds to free themselves from the spike, unless another victim is impaled on top of them, which prevents them from being able to free themselves.

Found in swamps and marshes, particularly cypress and mangrove swamps, Snoligosters typically lair in muddy riverbanks, using their propeller tails to scoop out holes. It is in these lairs that Snoligosters bring their unfortunate victims, scraping them from their impaling spikes and using their propeller tails to beat their prey into a pulp before ingesting them.

Mutations: None